AgeSource Worldwide
About AgeSource Worldwide
AgeSource Worldwide is produced by AARP’s Research Information Center and builds upon an international survey it conducted in 1995. These findings have been regularly updated through communications with libraries, clearinghouses, database producers, and other information resources all over the world, and through Internet searches. The information resources included in this database have been chosen based on one or more of the following criteria:
- they are sizable (collections of 1,000 or more items)
- they have an exclusive or significant focus on aging
- they are unique in the nature of the information collected
- the information they provide is easily accessible via the Internet
We apologize if any have been missed and welcome your notifying us of these resources, as well as any updates you think are needed to existing entries. Other comments about this database can be sent to: AgeSourceWorldwide@aarp.org
1. Countries with Information Resources
We identified well over 300 information resources across nearly 30 countries—with more than half based in the United States alone. Most of the information resources are located in North America and Europe. Less than ten are located in semi-industrialized or developing nations, although more include developing nations in their collections or purview. This reflects both the more advanced state of population aging in developed countries and the wealth that permits the establishment of such specialized information resources. The following countries are represented in AgeSource Worldwide.
- Argentina
- Australia
- Japan
- Austria
- Luxembourg
- Belgium
- Malta
- Brazil
- Netherlands
- Canada
- New Zealand
- Chile
- Norway
- Cuba
- Spain
- Denmark
- Sweden
- Dominican Republic
- Switzerland
- France
- Ukraine
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- Israel
- United States
AgeSource Worldwide includes distinct information resources that share the same sponsor, such as the Research Information Center and AgeLine, both organized by and housed in AARP, as well as structures that encompass several types of information resources—e.g., the Library of the Institute of Gerontology in the Ukraine also features bibliographic and statistical databases.
2. Types of Information Resources
Among traditional information resources, databases are the most common type of information resource found. Databases are large collections of information, usually in electronic format and limited to one or a few related subjects. Among the databases, a minority—called “broad focus” databases here—cover a variety of aging-related issues. The remainder specialize in a particular topic, such as Alzheimer’s Disease or social security. Others are characterized by the type of data collected—e.g., information about experts in aging. The databases, whether broad focus or specialized, can also take either a bibliographic or numeric form.
Libraries appear almost as frequently. The majority are broad focus libraries that cover a variety of aging-related issues; the remainder are more specialized with specific foci such as long-term care. Libraries often do not limit themselves to the traditional books/monographs and periodicals. More than a third have sizable audiovisual collections. A number also produce databases.
The number of clearinghouses is growing. Clearinghouses focus on a specific topic related to aging through the delivery of multiple services, of which information provision is only one. For example, additional services could include training or consulting services.
Directories have also been growing, probably in response to the opportunities presented by the Internet. Directories are compilations of aging-related information in a standardized format. We have only included those that are updated with some regularity. A number are available both in print and online.
The advent of the Internet has resulted in the development of a new kind of information resource—the Web metasite. These are sites (often confined to one topic, such as eldercare) that provide easy access to different kinds of resources—e.g., texts, referrals, bibliographies, chat groups, or related Web sites. A number of those relating to aging are included here.
Because of their ease of access on the Internet, we have also included a number of online statistical resources, bibliographies, and even texts in AgeSource Worldwide.
3. Geographic Coverage
The majority of the information resources provide exclusively national coverage of the subjects in their collections or databases. However, a number also provide a combination of national and regional or international coverage.
Almost one-fourth of the resources are international in nature either through design or through significant international coverage in their collections. Regional coverage—i.e., North America, Latin America or Europe—is also provided by some. The stimulus of the European Union has served as a catalyst for the relatively recent formation of a number of European information resources related to aging.
Regrettably, large regions of the world are not well covered—if at all. These include Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and most of Eastern Europe.
4. Subject Coverage
Health-related issues, including Alzheimer’s disease and long term care, are the most frequently organized topics covered by these information resources. However, many other topics are represented in AgeSource Worldwide—from age discrimination to wills and estate planning.
5. Languages
Although a total of 20 languages are represented in this database, English is the dominant language in which literature is collected for the large majority of the information resources. This reflects not only the striking presence of the United States as a producer of information resources, but the leading role played by English-speaking gerontologists in producing the world’s aging literature.
The next most popular languages are French, Spanish, German, and Danish.
6. Products/Services
Information resources vary greatly in the degree to which they are readily available to external users. At one extreme, a few are available to staff or members only. At the other extreme, complete databases may be electronically accessible through the Internet or CD-ROM, although usually for a fee. A growing number of the resources are accessible in one or more electronic formats that should facilitate external use. Most already have an Internet presence on the World Wide Web, even if only to briefly describe their services.
Print products, including bibliographies, directories, newsletters, accessions lists, occasional publications such as special reports, and thesauri often continue alongside electronic ones. Many are available free of charge.
The distribution of information is also facilitated through traditional library functions such as reference and referral, database searches, onsite use by visitors, interlibrary loans, current awareness services, and audiovisual loans.
Those resources that can post complete information on the Internet at no charge to the user—a minority at this point—assure the greatest accessibility to information about aging. At the next level of usefulness is the large number of resources that provide electronic access, but to incomplete information—e.g., citations or abstracts, but not the original sources themselves. They provide an important public service, but users must go one step further and obtain the literature they have identified—either through loan or purchase. This can be difficult for users outside the country where the resource is located. Information sharing across national boundaries other than through the Internet is still limited. Once on the premises of a library, though, one can usually avail oneself at no charge of the full services of that resource.
7. Sponsor/Producer
Non-governmental organizations and governmental or intergovernmental agencies are the most common sponsors of the information resources included in AgeSource Worldwide. They are followed closely by research institutes and academic institutions. A small number of the resources are sponsored by one of the following: health care or other service providers, for-profit organizations, foundations, networks, individuals, or other information resources.
The aging of the world’s population and the expansion of the Internet augur well for the steady development of additional aging-related information resources in the future—and particularly in countries not yet represented in AgeSource Worldwide. We intend to keep you current!
AgeSource Worldwide has been compiled and developed by Charlotte Nusberg of AARP’s Research Information Center (RIC). (AARP, RIC, 601 E St., NW, Washington, DC 20049, USA).